Alitalia and ANA are linking up…further proof of the waning power of alliances. Until recently, Alitalia and ANA would have been viewed as strange bedfellows. Alitalia is a member of SkyTeam and ANA a member of Star Alliance. But...
My Thought Process In Building A Multi-City Award Trip
We receive many interesting requests at Award Expert, my award booking service, including some that require a bit of creativity. Let me tell you about a recent trip. The client lived in Philadelphia. His destination: Beijing. He wanted to...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: March 11, 2018
Another week spent entirely on the ground…this is really something out of character. But I’ve cherished the time spent with my wife and son lately: the little one is growing up so fast. I hope to finish up my...
Reminder: Your Alitalia Miles Expire on March 31st (and How to Extend Them)
Just a friendly reminder that if you are still sitting on Alitalia MilleMiglia miles from last year, you have until March 31, 2018 to burn them. In some loyalty programs, your miles expire due to inactivity. In others, your account expires...
Air Italy: Qatar’s Plan to Destroy Alitalia
Air Italy wants to be the flag carrier of Italy, taking over beleaguered Alitalia’s long-held dominant position. Air Italy is actually already Italy’s #2 carrier, still flying under the Meridiana name. Last year Qatar Airways acquired a 49% stake...
Airline Smashes 300-Year-Old Musical Instrument, Blames Passenger
I am a bigger risk taker than most when it comes to checking valuable items, but I’d like to think I’d draw the line somewhere before checking a 300-year-old viola valued at $200,000. One woman didn’t…and Alitalia blamed her...
Lufthansa Wants to Make Rome Fiumicino a Hub
Despite another lifeline from the Italian government, Alitalia is still struggling…and Lufthansa wants to take over several Alitalia routes. Speaking at the Lufthansa Group’s 3rd Quarter Earnings Call, CEO Carsten Spohr stated Lufthansa would develop a hub at Rome Fiumicino...
Lasagna: Alitalia vs. United Airlines
I’ve compared afternoon tea on British Airways and United. This week’s Meal of the Week compares lasagna lunches on United and Alitalia. #1: Alitalia (Madrid to Rome / August 2017) You’ll note the lasagna noodles are green. Usually that...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: October 15, 2017
Good evening from Los Angeles. I’m about to embark upon another adventure…I’ll share the details tomorrow. In the meantime, let’s review the top stories of the last week. The diplomatic spat between Turkey and the USA currently means no...
Review: Alitalia 777 Business Class Rome to Los Angeles
With Alitalia operating in bankruptcy protection, I figured this might be my last shot to sample a longhaul flight on the carrier. Let’s hope not, though, because I actually had a very pleasant 13hr flight from Rome to Los...
Review: Alitalia Lounge Rome Airport
After spending a few minutes in the pre-security lounge, I cleared security and found the closest Alitalia lounge to my gate. I had read about Casa Alitalia, Aliatalia’s new premium lounge concept, but the Alitalia lounge closest to my...
Great Alitalia Lounge Concept in Rome (Review)
It was a simple lounge–warm natural light from the morning sun, plenty of seating, and lack of clutter. But most importantly: an Italian breakfast. And it did not even require passing thru a metal detector to reach. I’m talking...
